222/38 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Auckland City, Auckland

These two-storied, Cheshire-designed apartments were inspired by Le Corbusier’s modernist development in Marseille in the 1960s. The owner employed Philly Lyus to cleverly develop more kitchen storage and select furnishings that create a bespoke interior, using strong black pieces of furniture beautifully placed in this clever 80 sq m pied-à-terre.

You enter from the lower floor, where a second bedroom, bathroom, and laundry are situated. Up an easy flight of stairs are the kitchen, dining, living area, ensuite bathroom, and master bedroom.

Do you want to simplify your life? Buy furnished! Lofty and light with a north-facing little deck, this means you can still have a potted herb garden if you have green fingers. SKHY 2 is part of the SKHY community, based around the repurposed mid-century tower that was completed and occupied in March 2018.

You will pay a manageable $7,565.93 for your Body Corporate fee, and the current rates are $2,959.61. Carefully planned and built from enduring materials, these elegant apartments have been purchased mostly by owner-occupiers who want to enjoy being part of a community and live close to our vibrant city and the motorways. Cheshire Architects do special projects. Many buyers in the SKHY precinct have been drawn to purchase because of their interest in design and their belief in the work of Pip Cheshire and his team.

The three buildings that make up SKHY 2 are centred around the luxuriantly planted checkerboard courtyard designed by Britomart’s garden designer, Damian Wendelborn. This is a really safe, snug, and secure townhouse.

‘Uptown’ is minutes from motorways going north and south and in the heart of the Mt Eden City Rail Link, planned to open in 2026. The value of this apartment will then increase with this facility. You are just delicious steps from Syd’s French Café, Lillius, and so many other eateries. SKHY is a brisk, healthy walk to Auckland Hospital, the Medical School, and of course, Auckland University. In 2020, the NZ Institute of Architects chose SKHY and announced Cheshire Architects and Lamont & Co as winners for their clever example of urban acupuncture in this multi-unit housing development.

A car park with internal access is included in the sale price.

You might call it a pied-à-terre, a lock-and-leave, or simply your next home — regardless, be prepared to be surprised!